San Francisco - Hotel Suggestions

I just did a quick search using Quikbook, and there are a lot of places available with great deals. Too bad I already live here!

One great option is Campton Place -- very nice hotel and right on Union Square. The going rate appears to be $160/night. Not sure if you're planning to shop, but you would be literally 1-2 blocks away from the prime stops: NM, Saks, Alden, Wilkes Bashford... Plus the restaurant is excellent.

Some other options with rates in your range include:
-- Near Union Square -- the Palace, Westin, Hotel Monaco
-- Financial District -- Omni, Le Meridien

I recommend Westin Hotel on Market Street. I was there 2 weeks ago for a business trip. The rooms was nice and great location

If you can get Campton place for less than $200 a night, do it! It is an ideal location and excellent staff.

Hotel Abri - I stayed there a couple of weeks ago. Recently remodeled, easy access to the Union Square stuff. Room was rather small, but clean and well-appointed (big-screen TV, etc.). A/C was a window unit. I think it average $90 Wed night to Sunday morning. Ridiculously helpful staff, fast wi-fi, two computers on the ground floor if you don't want to bring your own.

Hotel Carlton - stayed in February. Larger room, ~$80/night, clean but not quite as new, a few-block walk to Union Square but close to Van Ness Ave. I preferred it overall, I think, especially if I got the deluxe room next time. You're right on the edge of the Tenderloin, but I prefer dive bars to douchey clubs and didn't really eat anywhere in Union Square on either trip. Wi-fi sucked if you'll need it for business.

I had a good experience at the Westin St. Francis in Union Square.

Out of the places listed, I would only stay at Campton Place.

I like the Campton Place and Ritz-Carlton, they both have great restaurants. However I prefer the Ritz because it has a nice conceirge level and the availability of a Mercedes package where a car (MB) is available for you to drive as needed.

related question: i'm going there too next month..are there any hotels with sunday pool parties or good sunday afternoon drinking scenes? more of an upscale scene type of place i can just lounge?

I've been happy in the past with the Prescott -- not sure what the going rate is, though.

I remember the Campton Place as a dump.

As a resident, I can't say I've stayed in many of the hotels. But, from what I've seen the major chains will be as nice as those chains can be for their price point.


Lots of options, and I'm sure many are cutting deals to fill rooms. If you look at "South of Market", there are many around the Moscone Center, which is where many trade shows and conventions are held. If there isn't anything going on there when you visit, you'll probably find many good deals. Anything south of Market Street (until you hit the Bay, around the basepall stadium) and east of 5th street is pretty much equally safe. The closer to the Embarcadero -- the road that runs along the waterfront -- the more touristy and "safe" it will be due to number of people, especially during the day.

Within a block of the Moscone Center are: Marriott, Westin, Intercontinental, The Palace, St. Regis, W (not recommended for families IMO), and more within a few blocks.

Of course, around Union Square there are more. The only warning is that if you are out at night, don't go much farther west than Mason street, or you can quickly find your self heading into the tenderloin neighborhood -- in which case you won't find solace until you reach Matt's VIP suite at the O'Farrell Theater. IMO, the Parc55 Hotel and Hotel Niko are about as far west as you want to go from Union Square. Certainly the St. Francis is nice, as is the Four Seasons -- but the latter will bust your budget I'm guessing.

If you go up Nob hill, towards the Mark-Hopkins and such, you get some pretty sweet views (when not foggy) but if you are out during the day and are on foot, it's a bitch to climb that hill. A rental car would get you up, but then you're adding in lots of parking costs throughout your trip. Hopping at cab from Union Square is easy, just factor in some addition $ for trips back to the hotel if you go up the hill.

Depending on your view, staying in one of the more business-oriented hotels in the Financial District can be good or bad. I'm sure they are nice hotels and provide fine services, but if you are here on a weekend the area around the hotel will be pretty empty and you will have some ways to walk to get anywhere of interest.

IMO, which may not be yours, I'd find the best deal at a major chain that I could -- use points or whatever discounts you have access to -- and use whatever money you save on having fun while in SF. If you can get a deal at the Hyatt right there at California & Market, do it. It's a fine hotel and the location is great. You'll have lots within walking distance and can jump on the streetcar and cable car to all the other major tourist areas on the eastern half of the city.


I don't know of any Sunday afternoon upscale drinking activities. I can think of more "downscale" ones though. In either case, no pools are involved...this ain't the Bellagio. If the weather is nice, head to Zeitgeist for and outdoor biergrarten experience. Just be chill when ordering food as the Soup Nazi works in their kitchen -- no joke. Two other warm-weather brunch spots are: Taylor's at the Ferry Building; and The Ramp.

Just got a good deal on expedia for a weekend stay at the Hyatt in late August. I was looking for a nicer and smaller boutique hotel and a friend pointed out Hotel Rex and The Handlery, but the price for the stay at Hyatt is way too good to pass up, and its location just across the Ferry Building is a plus for me.

the Chancellor.

-Jeff

We stayed there for New Years this past December 31st and the room was immaculate and the service was excellent. They have changed owners about 3 times in what 5 years? Perhaps you were there during a transition?